PostBag
I dislike Mr Samak for many reasons, but I think these economic relief measures for the poor are a brilliant political move, even if the intention is to buy their votes. What I don't understand is why other groups (e.g. the last military government) don't seem to want to buy their votes.
Nor do I understand why policies that help large numbers of very poor people are seen in a negative light ("populist") by some people. Why are we so begrudging when it comes to giving help to the poor?
Time and time again I have read articles decrying the huge gap between the rich and the poor in this country, but it seems like it is only the politicians I dislike and distrust the most who are the ones actually doing something for the poor, even if their intentions are not pure.
CONFUSED
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Grammar not necessary
I suggested (Postbag, June 10) that in our global village almost any English accent should be acceptable for an English teacher in Thailand. But what about grammar? Grammarians would disagree, but I think teaching grammar has little to do with learning English. Besides, it is so boring that it is a positive hindrance to learning.
Essentially, students learn a language, including its grammar, by imitation and use: listening, speaking and reading. And foreign teachers of any accent can by example teach the basics of grammar, e.g. putting words in the proper order in a sentence, using past, perfect, and continuous tenses.
If a student can speak correctly, then he or she knows grammar in the only important way.
Grammar does not help one to read or to understand spoken English; and because we write as we speak, which we learn by imitation, it is of little help in writing. No need to know the six kinds of pronouns to listen, read, speak or write.
Furthermore, something like 20% of English is a matter of usage, of idioms and expressions: take a bus, take a shower, we're running out of time or gas or patience, sort out a problem. Such things are not found in grammar books. Only native speakers really know the language as it is used, no matter what their accent may be.
Also, most college entrance exams stress English reading comprehension and writing, and leave little space for locating grammar errors.
However, my argument for teaching by imitation seems not to apply to pronunciation. Whatever the reason may be, no matter what the teacher's accent may be, Thais seem to end up speaking like Americans anyway.
BILL ADAIR
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Unbeatable Germans
Accent-free Canadians (Postbag, July 15) are not the answer. I taught English in Eastern Europe after the fall of the Soviet Union to young banking employees, and they told me unquestionably that the clearest, most understandable English was spoken by Germans.
Germans speak English in correct, full sentences and properly pronounce each and every syllable of every word. Germans do not garble and swallow whole phrases as do the British, who sometimes talk as if they had a mouth full of marbles. Germans do not use "uh" and "you know" in every other incomplete sentence as do Americans, and Germans project the language outward, unlike the hesitant, timid Canadians. This is what superior German education produces.
GUTEN TAG
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A bogus claim
As a Canadian, I think it is difficult to hold the claim that there is a single Canadian accent in a country that is spread across five time zones. As a native English speaker from south-western Ontario, I know that my close friends from Thunder Bay and Vancouver have very different accents. Also, people from Quebec and the Maritime Provinces have very unique accents, which are also "Canadian".
I believe Mr Milan's claim that Canadians are "accent-free" is bogus due to the variety of accents. If native English educators, or speakers in general, speak slowly and clearly, they will be understood.
KEVIN SPITERI
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Give it a rest
This squabble about "which accent is best" needs to be put to bed. It has turned into an excuse for nations to have a pop at each other. Bob Milan (Postbag, July 14) now says Canadians have a neutral accent and are the most sought-after teachers. Laughable, eh? Any strong accent is difficult for students to understand, but it is important that they hear them. Good teachers will always be able to make themselves understood. Exposure to varied accents can only be a good thing.
TIM
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Umno running scared
I used to have respect for what I believed was democracy in Malaysia. That belief has now been swept away by the latest performance by what I now realise is simply another ruling clique.
Having been given a good beating at the ballot box and still unable to accept the fact that voters showed their displeasure with their poor performance, PM Abdullah Badawi and his Umno party are running scared.
The "locking down" of parliament to prevent demonstrations and prevent Anwar Ibrahim from attending the no-confidence vote in parliament was a desperate and highly suspect act.
The prime minister's statement _ "The police are trying to reduce hindrances and traffic jams [that would be caused if the demonstration goes on] too" _ when the capital was brought to a complete halt, was utterly risible.
It is constructive and interesting to compare what is possible in Thailand with its supposedly more developed and sophisticated southern neighbour, which is seeking to join the first world within 10 years, when it comes to protesting within their democratic constitutions. I feel Thailand comes out rather well and should rate a little higher on the democracy scale in the eyes of the "developed world" than its neighbour.
JOHN DE LAURENT
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